Sean Maloughney: Oilers Drag Panthers Back To Alberta

McDavid absolutely deserves the CS. Barkov has been a ghost the last two games and Bobrovsky has allowed multiple weak goals. Neither deserve the Smythe regardless if they win the SC.

McDavid absolutely deserves the CS. Barkov has been a ghost the last two games and Bobrovsky has allowed multiple weak goals. Neither deserve the Smythe regardless if they win the SC.
- jfkst1

Any chance they go unconventional with Forsling if FLA wins?

Any chance they go unconventional with Forsling if FLA wins?
- Minnyhock

That's actually a very good point. He's +13 in the playoffs and plays the most TOI/G for FLA. I have to admit, he should be receiving stronger consideration over Barkov/Bob at this point.

Any chance they go unconventional with Forsling if FLA wins?
- Minnyhock

It’s 97 even if FL pulls one more W out of this series.

It’s 97 even if FL pulls one more W out of this series.
- Ratsreign

It’s only happened once before. But yes, you really have to do some spinning to not award to him.

Play La Bamba!!

Is the long distance travel starting to catch up to the Panthers? They're not used to long distance travel, like the Oilers. Playing in the west, teams get used to a lot of air travel, where the Eastern teams have short haul travel. If the Oilers win easily, in game 6, the Panthers might be psychologically damaged. Game 7 might be dramatic.

Is the long distance travel starting to catch up to the Panthers? They're not used to long distance travel, like the Oilers. Playing in the west, teams get used to a lot of air travel, where the Eastern teams have short haul travel. If the Oilers win easily, in game 6, the Panthers might be psychologically damaged. Game 7 might be dramatic.
- PrinceLH

Psychological counselors love this post.

Is the long distance travel starting to catch up to the Panthers? They're not used to long distance travel, like the Oilers. Playing in the west, teams get used to a lot of air travel, where the Eastern teams have short haul travel. If the Oilers win easily, in game 6, the Panthers might be psychologically damaged. Game 7 might be dramatic.
- PrinceLH

Though Miami and TB are close I wouldn't exactly call Miami to Boston/ Montreal / Buffalo/ Toronto / Detroit short trips.

You're thinking of the Metro division...

Though Miami and TB are close I wouldn't exactly call Miami to Boston/ Montreal / Buffalo/ Toronto / Detroit short trips.

You're thinking of the Metro division...
- Nasty_Duck

Damn, I thought he was onto something there.

These Oilers could really do it.

Any predictions for game 6? Amazing it’s gone to that. Right?

Any predictions for game 6? Amazing it’s gone to that. Right?
- Quinn's Quest

Really hard to say. On one hand, after not only watching these games, but also seeing all the post game interviews with the Oilers after last game, they really do look crazy confident and brimming with belief. They do have the momentum. On the other hand the majority of Stanley Cup clinching wins, especially in cap era, are won on the road in either game 5 or 6.

Also, the Panthers are really f'n good haha.

These Oilers could really do it.
- Oildrum

McDavid factor is one thing but Drai needs to fill the net as well for it all to come together. He needs to start scoring.

McDavid factor is one thing but Drai needs to fill the net as well for it all to come together. He needs to start scoring.
- LordHumungous

He's obviously playing injured, unfortunately. If Kane can play game 6 that would be a huge boost. No way Oil lose it on home ice. McD won't allow it.

He's obviously playing injured, unfortunately. If Kane can play game 6 that would be a huge boost. No way Oil lose it on home ice. McD won't allow it.
- Oildrum

I dont know man....so many distractions at home and statistically the cup is usually won on the road.

I dont know man....so many distractions at home and statistically the cup is usually won on the road.
- MattStrat

That’s a weird stat to try and base anything off of, there’s absolutely no correlation that you could even begin to try and connect dots other than they are playing hockey.

It’s a little surreal now that there’s only a max of two games left and only one game left here in Edmonton. It’s unfortunate Edmonton has decided to do this the hard way and it certainly is possible. The worst part is I accepted them being done and now they are trying to make us believe. At the very least I think even with a loss we can be happier with this outcome.

That’s a weird stat to try and base anything off of, there’s absolutely no correlation that you could even begin to try and connect dots other than they are playing hockey.

It’s a little surreal now that there’s only a max of two games left and only one game left here in Edmonton. It’s unfortunate Edmonton has decided to do this the hard way and it certainly is possible. The worst part is I accepted them being done and now they are trying to make us believe. At the very least I think even with a loss we can be happier with this outcome.
- ALEDDO

I agree that it is but its just the way its been most of the time. Don Cherry (I'm not one of those that used to take all of his words as the gospel but he did have good points at times) said one time on HNIC (with regards to winning cup on home ice...apply this to the Panthers) they get back to to their homes and wives/GF's, kids and pets and neighbours and the whole city buzzing for them. They have media all up in their face. They have all sorts of people trying to get tickets to the game from them and then they have a pile of family and friends at the games. Whereas the road team is all together in same hotel and hanging out together with none of those other distractions.

I think you should be proud that they're the only 4th team to win the next two games after being down 3-0 in a finals, for sure, but they are quite capable of getting this done and very well may. I hope they get this to 7 for sure.

Where's Big23 and his expert hockey analysis?

Where's Big23 and his expert hockey analysis?
- Oildrum

I’m thinking the same as I always do, and the same thing your coach said after last game - Connor and the PP won you the game(s).

It makes no sense for me to keep having a back-and-forth on here with you folks. I will never move off my point that the Oilers are a PP (and honestly a PK) and 2 Mega Stars with a rotating 3rd (Hyman, Skinner, RNH, etc) but I do not think there are a good team.

So ultimately - Special teams and McDavid/Drais through the whole playoffs. I have also said that’s nothing to apologize for. I have also said that I would never bet against the most talented player on the planet. I don’t like the Oilers, but I believe LA Van and Dal were all better teams that faced McJesus (and Drais except this round) and a speak all teams juggernaut.

…your own coach admitted 3x these playoffs to the same. You rely on PP specifically but special teams to win a lot of games.

Where's Big23 and his expert hockey analysis?
- Oildrum

I’m thinking the same as I always do, and the same thing your coach said after last game - Connor and the PP won you the game(s).

It makes no sense for me to keep having a back-and-forth on here with you folks. I will never move off my point that the Oilers are a PP (and honestly a PK) and 2 Mega Stars with a rotating 3rd (Hyman, Skinner, RNH, etc) but I do not think there are a good team.

So ultimately - Special teams and McDavid/Drais through the whole playoffs. I have also said that’s nothing to apologize for. I have also said that I would never bet against the most talented player on the planet. I don’t like the Oilers, but I believe LA Van and Dal were all better teams that faced McJesus (and Drais except this round) and a speak all teams juggernaut.

…your own coach admitted 3x these playoffs to the same. You rely on PP specifically but special teams to win a lot of games.
- Big23Questions

lol Oilers have 3...yes 3 PP goals this series and still down 1 game. This whole PP narrative is making you look well...rather dumb lol

lol Oilers have 3...yes 3 PP goals this series and still down 1 game. This whole PP narrative is making you look well...rather dumb lol
- LordHumungous

Bold: I don’t know why but that made me laugh. “Rather dumb” ha.

First game mcpower plays won:
The worst game I’ve seen Bob and the Panthers play all playoffs and it’s not close. Clearly oilers played to their abilities and panthers at their wurst. The better team won.

Second mcpower plays Win (obviously aside from empty net):
Panthers had 3 even strength goals.
Oilers had 1 even strength goal.
The shorty was a terrible giveaway and lazy play but a beauty by Brown for sure. Either way it was not 5v5 and even counting that’s 3-2 Fla.

Almost forgot - only having 3 PP goals this series and 2 coming on the last game is in fact you proving my point to an extent - They were down 3-0 in the series when they weren’t scoring PP goals….rather dumb haha

- LordHumungous

Only an emoji from you lil champ? No gif lil champ? Champ. You use emojis like the liberal folks bud. Bet you have nice socks.